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The Journey

Meditate, do yoga, or just relax on a multicultural journey of rejuvenation, joy, and healing through mindfulness music - a blend of indigenous healing sounds from Native America, Africa, and Latvia with flute and djembe - also balafon, kokle, and beyond

Genre: World: World Fusion

Release Date: 2004

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ABOUT THIS ALBUM

Album Notes

Let this spirited and soulful music take you away on a journey while it weaves together the unique rhythms of the African djembe drum, the Native American flute, the Latvian kokle stringed zither, the African balafon xylophone, and other indigenous instruments. The result has been described as joyful and melancholic, flowing and chaotic, energizing and soothing. Some pieces emerge as resonant, old, primal. Others, refreshingly new. This is mindfulness music helpful in moment to moment awareness through reflections, meditations, and movement such as yoga.

Dr. Doug Ziedonis is a talented musician who also happens to be a physician. His flute playing and skill with the Latvian Kokle and percussion instruments has had rave reviews, including gigs in California, Chicago, Florida, and all over the North East. He is a first-generation Latvian American with an avid interest in the music of different cultures that helps him connect on his travels and with his healing work. He is also practices and teaches mindfulness in his life and work. Kokomon Clottey is a very gifted musician and community leader in Oakland California with two other CDs (check them out on CDBABY). He was born in Accra, Ghana, to the Ga-Adagbe tribe. He's authored a book on Mindful Drumming: Ancient Wisdom for Unleashing the Human Spirit and Building Community (2004). He tours throughout the United States and Africa. The story of how these two musicians found each other and made an incredible connection through their music is rather remarkable - read the liner notes when you can. The music keeps you in the moment and leads you into altered states of consciousness. The music stems from ancient traditions of personal healing and communal activity. The music appeals to all ages and invites you to float into other worlds. This music can heal the spirit, mind, and body. Let the sound and vibration reduce your stress, enhance relaxation, lift your mood, and promote well-being. We share our deeply personal connections to the cultures of Ghana, Latvia, and America. We offer this music as a prayer for creating bridges between all cultures and races. THANKS for purchasing our CD and leaving such great reviews at the bottom of this page!!! GRATITUDE: We are grateful to God, our families, friends, and ancestors. This CD was inspired by Doug's maternal grandfather, who was a woodwind instrument builder. We give a special thanks to the instrument craftsmen whose Native American flutes were used on this CD: GP Gomez, Charles Littleleaf, Scott Loomis, Leonard McGann, Joel Shaber, and Paul Thompson.

As Dr. Doug relates on Track 11, "Love is the healing energy...love is what we truly desire and need." The love Doug & Kokomon share for their music -- and their Journey -- can be felt through the very rhythms and melodies of this world music. Like the steadiness of a heart beat deep inside the chest, the sounds and intentionality of these songs are spontaneous and visceral. I had the good fortune to meet Doug at a recent meditation retreat. Though he did not bring his flute, I could certainly sense a connection to his mindfulness music! Thank you for sharing this with us, Doug.

Kokomon's third CD is another ear pleaser. In this CD he builds a foundation of compelling African rhythms and overlays them with a beautiful flute. The result is an album that feels strongly African but flavored with Native American indigenious influences. The track "Hope for the Children" is particularly inspirational and beautifully done.

The skillful use of a range of instrumental timbres allows one to move effortlessly into deeper and deeper layers of relaxation while also evoking healing imagery. The minimalist nature of the musical arrangements is likewise conducive to an ever-expanding sense of peace and calm. Once the listener locates him or herself in the music, the journey begins...and what a glorious ride!

The CD brings you on a healing journey speaking of the relationships between life, people and the earth. The music gently put me in a place of serenity...visualizing several images. Very moving. The combination of music, mixed with the words spoken, touched my soul and spoke to the responsibility we have as human beings to one another!

In the Journey, Doug Ziedonis & Kokomon have compiled a CD with music that is both therapeutic & inspirational. An amalgam of cultural influences from different corners of our global village...the music soothes & refreshens the inner wells of our spiritual being. This is a CD you are bound to enjoy on many levels...like I have!

Doug Ziedonis and Kokomon’s The Journey transcends many of the barriers to connection of shared existence through musical melodies and rhythm. It brings forth a spiritual truth through ancient healing traditions. One can listen and allow the music to take them through the journey of personal existence. While struggling with the pressures of a modern day world that often promotes emptiness and division, this is a must get CD to remind ourselves of an alternative based on peace and belonging which is shared through sounds of the past created for our future to allow us to live in the present moment.